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The frequency and types of breast symptoms reported by women in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) have never been characterized. This study aims to establish the frequency of reported symptoms and the diagnostic outcomes associated with reported symptoms.

Methods

We examined the frequency of symptoms reported prior to mammography using medical record abstraction data from women in the NBCCEDP. We also calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of having an abnormal mammogram, an abnormal clinical breast examination (CBE), or a final diagnosis of breast cancer by symptoms, compared to asymptomatic women.

Results

In our sample of women, 10.3% reported at least one symptom. Women with symptoms were younger and more likely to be non-Hispanic white. Among those reporting symptoms, breast lump (31.7%) and pain or tenderness (49.3%) was most common. A relatively low proportion of women with symptoms were diagnosed with in situ (0.9%) or invasive breast cancer (4.3%). However, a self-reported breast lump (aOR: 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.8 – 24.1), inflammation or changes to the skin/nipple (aOR: 27.8; 95% CI: 8.7 – 88.8) and other or unspecified symptoms (aOR: 3.4; 95% CI: 2.1 – 7.5) were associated with an increased risk of invasive breast cancer.

Conclusions

Although the prevalence of breast cancer among women reporting symptoms is relatively low, knowing which symptoms carry the highest breast cancer risk is important to assist in appropriate diagnostic workup.

In 1990, Congress passed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act because of increases in the number of low-income and uninsured women being diagnosed with breast cancer. This act authorized the Centers for Disease Control and Preventi...

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S.). Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

Published:

7/30/14

Description:

2014 is the 23rd anniversary of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control's The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program (NBCCEDP), the only nationally organized cancer screening program for underserved women in the United Stat...

Purpose : The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) enrolls asymptomatic women for cancer screening and symptomatic women for diagnostic services. Tiris study describes the results of mammograms provided by the NBCCEDP...

Objectives : To examine time intervals from cervical cancer screening to diagnosis and treatment initiation among low-income and uninsured women in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) during two consecutive time ...

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S.), Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

Published:

12/13/04

Description:

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which was created in response to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act passed by Congress in 1990, is both the first and thus far the only national cancer sc...